THERE was a welcome large crowd at the Mid-Antrim Hunt’s new point-to-point track outside Broughshane last Saturday when the good weather no doubt helped swell the attendance.

Owners and trainers were more than happy to support the meeting and were encouraged to do so by the presence on the organising committee of so many point-to-point stalwarts.

To the fore were members of the Ferguson family but, in his role of assistant clerk of the course, Paul Ferguson paid tribute to the huge amount of work put into preparing the track by the clerk, David Crawford.

Five of the races were sponsored by local firms while the sixth ran under the banner of Albert Bartlett & Sons which is well connected to the area. There were plenty of advertisements in the card which could be read while sitting outside the bar tent in the sun listening to the post-race music.

Naturally enough with a new venue there were a few teething problems, particularly with signage to the course. A large banner when leaving the main road lured drivers into a false sense of security as none of the others were anything near as noticeable and were lost among all the election posters.

Viewing was restricted around the parade ring with only two sides open to the public and, while it was great to see so many people make their way up the hill in the centre of the course to watch racing, there was nothing to stop loose horses heading in the same direction.

These are things that can be easily rectified and, all in all, it was an excellent start for the new course. If the Mid-Antrim point-to-point committee can arrange the weather to be as good next year, crowds will flock to the track.